R. Kelly spreads "Write Me Back" across U.S.

Grammy-winning R&B performer R. Kelly will spend some quality time on the U.S. tour trail this fall and winter, dropping by theaters across the nation behind his summertime release, "Write Me Back."

The singer, songwriter and producer will start things off Oct. 13 in Columbia, SC, working his way through the South before heading for the West Coast for a couple dates. The 22-city tour crisscrosses the continent before coming to a close Dec. 7 in Merrillville, IN.

"Write Me Back," R. Kelly's 11th studio album, hit retailers in June via RCA Records. The 12-track set debuted at No. 5 on The Billboard 200 and at No. 2 on the magazine's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The collection comes two years after "Love Letter," which received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album, as well as a nod for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the single "Radio Message."

In September, R. Kelly received two nominations for the Soul Train Awards, bringing his career total up to 21 nominations and making him the most nominated act ever in the awards show's history. The Soul Train Awards will take place Nov. 8 at Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood.